Wignall et al. suggest that the abrupt negative delta13Corg shifts that we recognize in our data set could be localized features caused by recycling of isotopically light marine carbon. This overlooks two important lines of evidence: that the early Toarcian negative delta13C excursion is present in several sections around the world and that the excursion is recorded in terrestrial plant material. These crucial observations together preclude the possibility that the event was restricted to a localized, marine environment.